We talk a lot about the harmful effects of high blood sugar—and it’s true that chronically elevated blood sugar and acute blood sugar spikes are bad for health, affecting everything from brain health to immune and cardiovascular health. It’s also true that simple carbohydrates are often the culprits behind unhealthy blood sugar levels. But this is also true: We like simple carbs. They taste good. They are often the centerpiece of celebrations. Some, like corn and rice, are culturally important. The truth is that most of us are not likely to completely cut them out.